OFF-SEASON NEWS AND PLAYER TRANSACTIONS

 

February 13  Jenrry Mejia has been permanently suspended by Major League Baseball for violated its drug  policy for the third time within a year. Mejia took Boldenone, a performance enhancing drug. Mejia is the first player to get permanently suspended.

 

The Mets signed outfielder Roger Bernadina to a minor league contract.

 

February 4  The Mets avoided arbitration with pitcher Jeurys Familia by signing him to an one year contract worth $4.1 million dollars.

 

January 30  The Mets avoided arbitration with second baseman Neil Walker by signing him to an one year contract worth $10.55 million dollars.

 

January 27  The Mets traded outfielder Darrell Ceciliani to the Blue Jays for cash.

 

January 25   The Mets announced that they will retire Mike Piazza’s number, 31, in a pre-game ceremony on July 30. It will be the fifth retired number; 14, 37, 41, and 42 are the numbers.

 

January 23  The Mets and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes have agreed on a three year $75 million dollars contract that includes a player opt-out clause after the 2016 season. The contract also has a full no trade clause. The Mets acquired Cespedes just before the trading deadline on July 31,then the Mets just took off. They will end up playing in the World Series. Cespedes batted .287 with 17 hrs and 44 rbis after the trade.

 

The Mets also avoided arbitration with first baseman Lucas Duda and pitcher Jenrry Mejia by signing them to an one year contract.

 

The Mets released pitcher Carlos Torres.

 

January 21  The Mets signed pitcher Antonio Bastardo to a two year $12 million contract. Bastardo had a 2.93 ERA last season and is very durable.

 

January 16  The Mets avoided arbitration with the following players; pitchers Matt Harvey, Addison Reed, Carlos Torres, and Josh Edgin, and shortstop Ruben Tejada. The biggest money went to Matt Harvey who will earn $4.325 million dollars this season.

 

SNY and Keith Hernandez have agreed to a multiyear contract extension.

 

January 7  Mike Piazza will go into the Hall of Fame as a Met.

 

January 6  Mike Piazza has been elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Piazza received 83.0% of the vote. He hit the most home runs by a catcher with 427. Ken Griffey Jr., who received a record breaking 99.3% of the vote, will enter the Hall with Mike. The ceremony is on July 24, 2016.

 

Paul DePondesta, director of player development, is leaving the Mets to take a front office position in the NFL’s Cleveland Browns organization.

 

December 23  The De Aza deal is official.

 

December 22  The Mets are reportedly close to signing outfielder Alejandro De Aza. The contract is for 1 year worth $5.75 million dollars. De Aza hit .262 last season.

 

December 16  The Mets resigned pitcher Bartolo Colon to an one year contract worth $7.25 million dollars.

 

The Mets named Dick Scott as Bench Coach.

 

The Mets resigned pitcher Jerry Blevins to an one year contract worth $4 million dollars.

 

December 12  Outfielder Michael Cuddyer announced his retirement from the game. Injuries took a toll on his body. Cuddyer played for 15 years.

 

Coca-Cola is the new soft drink at Citi Field.

 

December 9   The Mets acquired second baseman Neil Walker from the Pirates for pitcher Jonathon Niese. Last season Walker hit .269 with 16 hrs.

 

The Mets also signed infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to a two year contract worth $18.5 million dollars, plus a team option for a third year. Cabrera hit .265 with 18 hrs. The deal is pending a physical.

 

December 5  General Manager Sandy Alderson has a treatable form of cancer and will begin chemotherapy for 8 to 12 weeks. Alderson will miss the Winter Meetings, but Assistant General Manager John Ricco, and head of Player Development and scouting Paul DePondesta and J.P. Ricciardiwill represent the team.

 

Baseball America named Sandy Alderson Executive of the Year.

 

November 17  Terry Collins finished third in the National League Manager of the Year voting. Joe Maddon of the Cubs won the award.

 

Noah Syndergaard finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Kris Bryant of the Cubs won the award.

 

November 13  Daniel Murphy rejected the Mets qualifying offer and became officially a free agent.

 

November 11  Manager Terry Collins is a finalist for National League Manager of the Year.

 

Pitcher Jacob deGrom is named Spaulding Defensive Pitcher of the Year.

 

Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes wins a Gold Glove for the American League. He played 99 games with the Tigers before coming to the Mets.

 

November 6  The Mets extended a qualifying offer to second baseman Daniel Murphy. The offer is for $15.8 million dollars and Murphy has 7 days whether to accept or decline the offer.

 

Outfielder Michael Cuddyer underwent surgery to repair his core muscle.

 

November 5  Outfielder Curtis Granderson underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He suffered it during the NLCS, but should be ready by Spring Training.

 

Pitcher Matt Harvey was named MLB National League Comeback Player of the Year. He went 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA after being out all of 2014.

 

Manager Terry Collins was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year.

 

November 4  The Mets and Manager Terry Collins agreed on a two year contract extension worth $3 million. Collins managed the Mets to its first World Series since 2000.